“SHANNON GROVE: Bill addresses abuses of environmental law”

“Talk to any California business owner or developer trying to build or enlarge a facility and they will likely describe the California Environmental Quality Act as a large obstacle. Interestingly, the problem is not in complying with CEQA, but in dealing with the many groups that exploit it for reasons unrelated to environmental protection.

CEQA was signed into law in 1970 by then-Gov. Ronald Reagan with the intent to “develop and maintain a high-quality environment now and in the future, and take all action necessary to protect, rehabilitate and enhance the environmental quality of the state.” Yet, like many noble efforts, CEQA has been repeatedly abused and is now hindering economic growth throughout California.”